Grant Morgan, who went from walk-on to All-American linebacker at Arkansas, has joined the Illinois coaching staff as a graduate assistant, it was announced Friday.
Morgan, 25, will be reunited with Illini coach Bret Bielema, his first coach at Arkansas during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. The Greenwood native also played for Chad Morris and Sam Pittman.
Morgan earned a scholarship and All-America honors with the Razorbacks and as a sixth-year senior in 2021 he won the Burlsworth Trophy as the nation’s top player who began his career as a walk-on.
In 58 career games as a Razorback, Morgan has 313 tackles. He earned an undergraduate degree in kinesiology in 2019 and a master’s degree in operations management in 2021.
Morgan signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a free agent in 2022 and had a short stint on their practice squad before being released.